, 1887-07-23

leaving shortly, would return to the island.
2nd Member for Frederiksted's Country
District iSuitzer) would second the last
honorable Speaker in his views.
With all votes against l, it was agreed to
accept the resignation rendered by the 3rd
Member for Christiansted's Town District
(Wassard.
4. and Discussion on Draft of Ordinance,
extending the Law Of End January 1871,
concerning the Inspection of corpses, as
modified by the Law of 4th May 1873,
10 be valid in ST. Croix, with Committee
Report.
and Member for Christiansted's Town
District IenmiSg) as Speaker OF the Com
mittee begged to introduce the Committee
Report and recommend same. All the
Members were now acquainted with the
resolutions adopted by the Committee, so he
would make no further comments, but reserve
his right to such, should it be necessary
during the discussion which might ensue.
The Governor said that as 1T was so very
long ago that this Draft had been before the
Council, and as several of the Members OF the
Council were new and unacquainted with the
motives that led to the introduction OF the
present Draft of Ordinance, he thought
it but right to state shortly the chief argu-
ments that spoke in favor of it. AS matters
are aS present no control whatever could be
kept of the Births, and Deaths, and Burlals
occurring in the island. Such control had
long been established in the Mother country
an1 he Thoughts in most civilized countries.
Concerning Births, she Drats on same had
already passed. The presene Draft had been
introduced at the same time as being @
necessary supplement- of the former. 1t was
necessary to have this passed in order to fill
= want existing in our Colonial Legislation.
The absence of a proper control OF births and
deaths in the island was a lam9ntable fact,
which affected the vital statistics OF the
islanl, it made the detection OF crime difficult
IS it also encouraged the neglect that is at
present shewn towards the sick and children
of the laboring classes, and which has q great
deal 10 do with the high mortality rates
among them. If the mortality were less, then
it would be a saving to the island, as we
wouil not nee 1immigration. He thought 1T
of great Importance not to defer the measure
any longer. With regard TO having the
inspection of the corpses, in the country,
mads By physicians, it would OF course be
she bsst plan, but as it would be expen-
sivs, AMI as the Colonial Treasury was not
at present. in 81 position to undertake such an
outlay, means had been provided in the
Draft to appoints, as inspectors of the corpses
in thu country, men who could undertake the
inspection without any great personal incon-
venience. He would recommend the Draft
of Ordinance to the Council for acceptance.
The 1st Section was then opened for dis
cussion.
No amendments had been proposed BY the
Committee.
Srd Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (HeCitH would like to know if
the obligation to act as Corpse.inspectors
devolved on the large estate owners at home
and if they were appointed?
As it is at present with this island, it
would be an additional burden laid upon the
planters when it is taken in consideration
that they are obliged already to act as Dumb
ldges, Road-inspectors ETC., Were they now
30 be further incumbered with an obligatory
duty as Corpse-inspectors2
The Governor would state, that it was not
compulsory on any person at home, as it was
not a matter of difficulty there to obtain suit
able persons; but with US here the matter
was very different. Only such persons as
could read and write could be taken. II
would furthermore only be obligatory in this
sense that a suitable person could be substitu-
ted in the place of the one appointed. 1t
was necessary to have this useful reform
carried even if at a small individual
sacrifice.
End Member for Christiansted's Town Dis.
trict (Lenmjng) begged to add to the remarks
just made by His E&cellency the Governor